Arch support for shoes



Dec. 8, 1931. J. M. FELKEL ARCH SUPPORT FOR SHOES Filed Aug. 9, 1929 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH M. FELKEL, OI SAPUIJPA, OKLAHOMA.

Anon surronr FOR snons Application filed August 9, 1929. Serial No. 884,670.

This invention relates to orthopedic shoes, and has for an object the provision of a shoe which willjsupport and strengthen the arch of the foot for the treatment of weak or fallen a arches and other foot troubles.

In the treatment of most foot troubles, an arch support is placed within the shoe, or the sole of the shoe is built up on the bottom with leather taps directly beneath the arch. The first mentioned method is open to many objections, while the last referred to method results in a heavy, bulky and unsightly, as well as a clumsy shoe, so that the wearer is likely to frequently stumble or fall.

The present invention overcomes the above and other objections by providing a shoe whose sole is so constructed as to support the arch and throw the principal weight of the body upon that portion of the foot between the ball of the foot and the heel.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a shoe which does not diifer in appearance [from the ordinary shoe, is much lighter than the shoe having its sole built up on the bottom, and more comfortable to wear than the ordinary arch supports.

With the above and other objects in view, the inventidn further includes the following novelfeatures and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing a shoe constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the insole partly broken away to show the insert.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the insole with the insert in place, a last being shown by dotted lines.

. Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of The insole 12 is split as indicated at 13, being preferably formed of two separate layers of leather having their heel and toe portions cemented or otherwise connected with their intermediate portions spaced to define a pocket 14. This pocket receives an insert 15 which ma be of any suitable material, but is prefera 1y of cork so as not to appreciably increase the weight of the shoe.

This insert 15 is oppositely tapered, with its greatest height or thickness located slightly at the rear of the ball, the insert taperin on opposite directions or toward the heel an toe of the shoe and terminating in feather edges. The shoe is then built up on the last in 5 the usual manner so that the insert will be located within the shoe, and the outside appearance of the shoe including the sole will not differ from the appearance of the ordinary shoe. In addition. the upper surface of the 7 insole will be smooth and the wearer will not be subjected to the inconvenience of arch supports within the shoe.

The insert 15 is so disposed that the weight of the body of the wearer will be supported by his heels, the thickness of the insert and its position acting to throw the weight rearward. The shoe thus embodies all of the advantageous features of the built up sole above referred to, and eliminates the unsightly appearance and other disadvantageous features of the built up sole. It further per mits of the use of'cork, or other light firm material, such as is not possible with the old style of built up sole.

It is preferred to provide opposite sides of the insert with a protective cover 16 whose opposite side edges are turned inward and secured between the adjacent ed es of the insert and insole as indicated at 1 This prevents chipping or injury to the cork insert.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly 95 fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is An arch support for shoes comprising an insole forming a part of a shoe, having the outer sole of the shoe secured thereto and provided with a slit to form separate layers defining a pocket, a resilient insert located in the pocket and oppositely tapered with 5 the greatest thickness located slightly at the rear of the ball portion of the insole and terminating in feather edges, and a protective cover positioned over opposite sides of the insert and having the opposite side edges turned inward and secured between the adjacent edges of the insert and the insole.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' JOSEPH M. 'FELKEL.

esesse 

